Upcoming Service Notes July 16, 2017

This week we will again welcome Cass Poulos into our pulpit. She writes, “When we read about heart in the Bible, we miss the broad understanding that Jesus and the disciples had of heart. For us heart is the center of our ‘total. personality … intuition, feeling, and emotion’ (Dictionary.com). In Jesus’ time, heart also encompassed mind and will. To have an open heart, all components would need to be centered and equally developed.”

We are very pleased as well to welcome two fine flutists, Danelle Sims and Lisa Barfield who will play several lovely works of J.S. Bach

Want to find out how this all fits together? Come to church on Sunday!

Our opening hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory” is a prayer, in which we ask for God’s wisdom and courage to face the problems of our day. Following the sermon, “Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast,” is sung to the familiar St. Flavian tune, and recounts the parable of the sower in the Gospel of Matthew. Our final hymn, “O Spirit of God” is based on Romans 8:1-2,9-17 … “You breathe assurance and relief …” The composer is anonymous but the lyricist is Johann Niedling (c. 1650).

Our invited musicians this Sunday are the talented flutists Danelle Sims and Lisa Barfield, accompanied by organist John Atwood. We’ll feast on the “Trio Sonata in G” by J.S. Bach (Largo, Vivace, Adagio, and Presto movements). Their Special Music presentation will be “Siciliano” from Bach’s second sonata for flute and clavier. The Offertory will be Telemann’s “Canonic Sonata No. 3” and it’s understandable why these three fine musicians have been so busy rehearsing the last several weeks.

Danelle Sims splits her time between working at the Norman Williams Library in Woodstock, apprenticing with Deirdre Donnelly in Quechee, and making music and art wherever she can.

Lisa Barfield obtained a B.S. degree in biology from Florida State University, and a M.S. degree in interdisciplinary toxicology from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After working for twenty years as a consulting toxicologist, in 2010 she moved to White River Junction to explore a new life by reconnecting with long-deferred interests. She now works at the Upper Valley Food Coop, is finishing revisions on a novel, and is playing some music.

Filling our pulpit in July into August:
16th – Cass Poulos
23rd – Rev. Neil Wilson
30th – Rev. Elisa Lucozzi
6th – Rev. David PruittImportant note: on the 23rd and the 30th we are providing a “neutral pulpit” for a fellow Vermont Conference church. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear a voice from outside of our immediate community and it is an opportunity for that church’s search committee to experience the candidate leading worship and giving a sermon.

We are an Open and Affirming Congregation.

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here.